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Latest news and features from theguardian.com, the world's leading liberal voiceen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015Tue, 03 Mar 2015 20:04:37 GMT2015-03-03T20:04:37Zen-gbGuardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2015The Guardianhttp://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.pnghttp://www.theguardian.com
Simon Rattle: new concert hall was not precondition for accepting LSO jobhttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-says-he-was-not-lured-to-the-lso-by-a-new-concert-hall
<p>Rattle, who takes over as music director of the London Symphony Orchestra in 2017, denies appointment was dependent on venue being built</p><p>Sir Simon Rattle has said that his return to the UK as music director of the <a href="http://lso.co.uk/">London Symphony Orchestra</a> is not dependent on a new concert hall being built in the capital.</p><p>After a lengthy courtship, Rattle will take up his new role at the LSO in September 2017, as he sees out his tenure in charge of the Berlin Philharmonic.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-says-he-was-not-lured-to-the-lso-by-a-new-concert-hall">Continue reading...</a>Simon RattleLondon Symphony OrchestraClassical musicMusicCultureTue, 03 Mar 2015 19:56:35 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-says-he-was-not-lured-to-the-lso-by-a-new-concert-hallPhotograph: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty ImagesSir Simon Rattle at the Barbican Centre, home of the London Symphony Orchestra.Photograph: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty ImagesSir Simon Rattle at the Barbican Centre, home of the London Symphony Orchestra.Mark Brown, arts correspondent2015-03-03T19:56:35ZThe Guardian view on Simon Rattle’s return to Britain: striking a chord | Editorialhttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/03/guardian-view-on-simon-rattle-return-to-britain
The London Symphony Orchestra has made an important choice for the arts in general, not just for music<p>Most decisions in life require a trade-off between the pros and the cons. Just occasionally, however, a decision comes along that involves only pros. <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-appointed-music-director-london-symphony-orchestra" title="">Simon Rattle’s appointment</a> as chief conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra is one of the latter. It is the best possible piece of news that music-making of all kinds in this country could have had. Though much-trailed and hardly a secret – the appointment was already almost taken for granted during the conductor’s recent concerts in London with the Berliner Philharmoniker – it promises to be a defining moment for the arts in general and for music-making, education and training in particular.</p><p>When he lands in London from Berlin in 2017 to take up his post, Sir Simon will instantly become Britain’s Sir Classical Music, the public embodiment of his art form in this country, rather as Benjamin Britten was in the 1950s and 60s or Sir Thomas Beecham before him. Many would argue that Sir Simon already got that title long ago, during his many golden years in Birmingham before the starry move to Berlin.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/03/guardian-view-on-simon-rattle-return-to-britain">Continue reading...</a>Simon RattleClassical musicCultureMusicLondon Symphony OrchestraBerlin PhilharmonicTue, 03 Mar 2015 19:32:20 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/03/guardian-view-on-simon-rattle-return-to-britainPhotograph: Chris Christodoulou/BBC/PA'When he lands in London from Berlin in 2017 to take up his post, Sir Simon will instantly become Britain’s Sir Classical Music, the public embodiment of his art form in this country, rather as Benjamin Britten was in the 1950s and 60s or Sir Thomas Beecham before him.' Photograph: Chris Christodoulou/BBC/PAPhotograph: Chris Christodoulou/BBC/PA'When he lands in London from Berlin in 2017 to take up his post, Sir Simon will instantly become Britain’s Sir Classical Music, the public embodiment of his art form in this country, rather as Benjamin Britten was in the 1950s and 60s or Sir Thomas Beecham before him.' Photograph: Chris Christodoulou/BBC/PAEditorial2015-03-03T19:32:20ZTwo-year-old DJ Arch Jr feeling the groove - videohttp://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2015/mar/03/two-year-old-dj-arch-jr-feeling-groove-video
Two-year-old DJ Arch Jr feels the groove as he displays his talents on the mixing deck. The South African township prodigy has achieved social media fame through <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ1hYup0TxMjuGInZFkftzA">videos that show him</a> in headphones, switching on decks, loading CDs, mixing music and dancing like a pro to the beat. He has already begun a DJing course at college and been inundated with offers of gigs <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2015/mar/03/two-year-old-dj-arch-jr-feeling-groove-video">Continue reading...</a>South AfricaAfricaDance musicElectronic musicMusicChildrenWorld newsCultureSocietyTue, 03 Mar 2015 19:15:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2015/mar/03/two-year-old-dj-arch-jr-feeling-groove-videoguardian.co.uk140x84 trailpic for Two-year-old DJ Arch Jr feeling the groove - videoGuardian Staff2015-03-03T19:15:00ZWorking with Simon Rattle has been the best music education of my lifehttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-hornist-berlin-philharmonic-london-symphony-orchestra
<p>A hornist with the Berlin Philharmonic on his 13 years with the conductor and what the London Symphony Orchestra can expect from its new leader<br></p><p>In the course of my 30 years as a member of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra I have worked with three different principal conductors, each of whom made their own unique and indelible impact not only on the orchestra but on the wider music world. These were of course Herbert von Karajan, Claudio Abbado and since 2002, Sir Simon Rattle.<br /></p><p>Over these last 13 years with Simon, I have experienced not only countless artistic high points, but also the best music education of my life. Musicians frequently bring scores to rehearsals now just to share in the discoveries Simon continually makes. We have frequently been motivated to read up, indeed even conduct our own research, on the repertoire we perform. Always prepared, always thoroughly researched – he can justify every one of his ideas by referencing something in the score; it’s never just a personal, subjective interpretation. </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-appointed-music-director-london-symphony-orchestra">Simon Rattle appointed music director of London Symphony Orchestra</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-is-the-seismic-creative-shock-uk-classical-music-needs">Simon Rattle is the seismic, creative shock UK classical music needs</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-hornist-berlin-philharmonic-london-symphony-orchestra">Continue reading...</a>Simon RattleLondon Symphony OrchestraBerlin PhilharmonicClaudio AbbadoClassical musicCultureMusicLondonWorld newsGermanyUK newsEuropeTue, 03 Mar 2015 18:48:44 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/simon-rattle-hornist-berlin-philharmonic-london-symphony-orchestraPhotograph: PRSimon Rattle conducts the Berlin Philharmonic at the Barbican, London, in 2011.Photograph: PRSimon Rattle conducts the Berlin Philharmonic at the Barbican, London, in 2011.Fergus McWilliam2015-03-03T18:48:44ZMal Peet, award-winning children's author, dies aged 67http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2015/mar/03/mal-peet-award-winning-childrens-author-dies-aged-67
<p>Tributes pour in for ‘one of the greatest YA authors’, who died on Monday</p><p>Authors and readers have taken to the internet to mourn the death – and celebrate the life – of the award-winning author <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/mal-peet">Mal Peet</a> who died on Monday night. </p><p>Peet, winner of the Carnegie medal and the Guardian children’s fiction prize, discovered he was terminally ill at Christmas. </p><p>Mal Peet, one of the greatest YA writers and a man I greatly admired (even when we disagreed!) has died. <a href="http://t.co/GR2dudYZtN">http://t.co/GR2dudYZtN</a></p><p>“He used to say the uglier things are the longer they live, and the ugliest things live forever.” -Mal Peet</p><p>I am sad beyond measure to hear of the death of my friend, the GREAT Carnegie Medal winner and YA writer Mal Peet. A gent &amp; a genius. :-(</p><p><a href="https://twitter.com/justine_jordan">@justine_jordan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Patrick_Ness">@Patrick_Ness</a> Joining in this sadness. Goodbye to a good, thoughtful, funny person. Mal Peet.</p><p>Such sad news about Mal Peet. A wonderful writer and a lovely man.</p><p>So sad to hear of the death of wonderful author Mal Peet: <a href="http://t.co/elA1dHzjJG">http://t.co/elA1dHzjJG</a></p><p>Incredibly sad to hear that Carnegie Medal winner and all time great man and writer Mal Peet has died. Gutted.</p><p>Very, very sad to hear about Mal Peet. Keeper is one of the best children's books I've ever read.</p><p>Very upset to hear the news about Mal Peet's passing. He was such fun to work with. Such sad news.</p><p>Just heard the sad news about Mr. Mal Peet. He was so encouraging to me as a new writer on the block, and shall never forget his kindness.</p><p>Oh, for christ sake, now Mal Peet has died? Now, I have a very sad face.</p><p>So sad about Mal Peet. Thinking of his family and all friends lucky enough to work with him. <a href="http://t.co/ubaWRtaP2N">http://t.co/ubaWRtaP2N</a></p><p>Mal Peet died last night. Selfish to mourn the unwritten books; still, I do. Thoughts and prayers with his family.</p><p>Yes me too. Sad that is. Mr Mal Peet has left the world with some lovely books. Thank you.</p><p>I think my heart just cracked. What an enormous loss. <a href="http://t.co/N5B6u8sJzW">http://t.co/N5B6u8sJzW</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2015/mar/03/mal-peet-award-winning-childrens-author-dies-aged-67">Continue reading...</a>BooksCultureMal PeetPatrick NessMichael RosenJohn GreenThe Fault in Our StarsTue, 03 Mar 2015 18:28:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2015/mar/03/mal-peet-award-winning-childrens-author-dies-aged-67Photograph: GuardianMal Peet on an archive image.Photograph: GuardianMal Peet on an archive image.Guardian Staff2015-03-03T18:28:49ZWhen Brecht met Weill: a dazzling but doomed partnershiphttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/mar/03/when-brecht-met-weill-a-dazzling-but-doomed-partnership
<p>Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny is a warning about a society of pleasure-seekers on the brink of financial ruin. Sound familiar? The time is right for Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill’s forgotten Weimar opera to return to the stage</p><p>Some historical periods immediately conjure up the sound made by their orchestras. Think of high imperial Vienna and a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/richard-strauss">Strauss</a> waltz starts to sound, while Edwardian England calls up <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/edward-elgar">Elgar</a>. Another is, surely, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2009/mar/27/art-sir-fred-goodwin">Weimar Germany</a>. Its characteristic sound is a small orchestra, heavy on the brass and wind, a banjo and a guitar at work. They are making a busy, sour, staccato fugue. Soon a woman will start declaiming in a harsh voice. It’s the sound of Brecht and Weill – and nobody summons up the sound of helpless, furious laughter on the precipice of catastrophe more vividly.</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EseSe7IggQc">Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny</a> is about to be mounted at the Royal Opera House in London. It’s a rare outing for <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/bertolt-brecht">Bertolt Brecht</a> and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/kurt-weill">Kurt Weill</a>’s most extensive and demanding collaboration, itself the culmination of a series of joint works: The Mahagonny Songspiel, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/jun/11/the-threepenny-opera-ian-bostridge">The Threepenny Opera</a> and Happy End. The collaboration was problematic – Brecht and Weill came from very different places, and had very different ambitions. What happened after the March 1930 premiere in Leipzig permanently hobbled the piece, and it has never quite recovered. With the exception of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGUjGPrfA6U">Alabama Song</a>, covered by everyone from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKoht4u4oAk">Gisela May</a> to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DX42_3ZKv8c">the Doors</a>, its songs have not seeped into the mass consciousness like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZKawqh8O20">Bilbao Song</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5-Yj-b1cSQ">Surabaya Johnny</a>, survivors of the wreckage of Happy End.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/mar/03/when-brecht-met-weill-a-dazzling-but-doomed-partnership">Continue reading...</a>Kurt WeillBertolt BrechtOperaClassical musicMusicStageCultureTue, 03 Mar 2015 18:25:52 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/mar/03/when-brecht-met-weill-a-dazzling-but-doomed-partnershipPhotograph: Kurt Weill Foundation/Lebrecht Music & Arts/Lebrecht Music & Arts‘Helpless, furious laughter on the ­precipice of catastrophe’ … one of the first productions of Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, in Kassel in 1930. Photograph: Kurt Weill Foundation/Lebrecht Music &amp; Arts/Lebrecht Music &amp; ArtsPhotograph: Kurt Weill Foundation/Lebrecht Music & Arts/Lebrecht Music & Arts‘Helpless, furious laughter on the ­precipice of catastrophe’ … one of the first productions of Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, in Kassel in 1930. Photograph: Kurt Weill Foundation/Lebrecht Music &amp; Arts/Lebrecht Music &amp; ArtsPhilip Hensher2015-03-03T18:25:52ZMy Heart and Other Black Holes My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga - reviewhttp://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/mar/03/review-jasmine-warga-my-heart-other-black-holes
'I could not put this book down once I started reading it, and I utterly adored every second of it'<p>My Heart and Other Black Holes is a poignant and heart-wrenching story that is sure to suck anyone who picks it up into its literal black hole. I could not put this book down once I started reading it, and I utterly adored every second of it.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/mar/03/review-jasmine-warga-my-heart-other-black-holes">Continue reading...</a>Children and teenagersBooksCultureTeen romance (childrens and teens)Teen booksTue, 03 Mar 2015 18:00:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/mar/03/review-jasmine-warga-my-heart-other-black-holeslove_shadowhunter2015-03-03T18:00:00ZDJ in the playhouse: no gigs yet for Arch Jr – he's only two years oldhttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/03/dj-in-the-playhouse-no-gigs-yet-for-arch-jr-hes-only-two-years-old
<p>DJ Arch Jr’s talent on the mixing deck has made him an internet sensation in South Africa – but he still has to be in bed by 8pm</p><p>There are not many DJs who play with toy cars, love watching Mickey Mouse and are in bed by 8pm on a week night. But then AJ Madumo Hlongwane is all of two years old.</p><p>The South African township prodigy has achieved social media fame through <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXc8ZRaGXoM">videos that show him in headphones, switching on decks, loading CDs, mixing music and dancing like a pro to the beat</a>. He has already begun a DJing course at college and been inundated with offers of gigs.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/03/dj-in-the-playhouse-no-gigs-yet-for-arch-jr-hes-only-two-years-old">Continue reading...</a>South AfricaAfricaMusicCultureDance musicElectronic musicChildrenTue, 03 Mar 2015 17:52:22 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/03/dj-in-the-playhouse-no-gigs-yet-for-arch-jr-hes-only-two-years-oldPhotograph: DJ Arch Jr/YouTubePhotograph: DJ Arch Jr/YouTubeDavid Smith in Johannesburg2015-03-03T17:52:22ZNew concert hall for London – grand ambition or white elephant in waiting?http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/new-concert-hall-london-grand-ambition-orchestras-simon-rattle
<p>Sir Simon Rattle’s call for a venue in the British capital befitting the world’s best orchestras might be a tough sell in these austere times</p><p>Is the prospect of a new, world-class, acoustically outstanding concert hall in London a realistic one or pie in the sky? </p><p>“Watch this space,” said Sir Simon Rattle on Tuesday, adding: “This has all moved so fast – it is like going down Niagara Falls in a barrel.” It is only three weeks since Rattle <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31431555">gave an interview with the BBC</a> in which he said London and Munich were the two great cities in the world that did not have “proper” concert halls.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/new-concert-hall-london-grand-ambition-orchestras-simon-rattle">Continue reading...</a>Classical musicSimon RattleCultureLondonMusicUK newsTue, 03 Mar 2015 17:51:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/03/new-concert-hall-london-grand-ambition-orchestras-simon-rattlePhotograph: Tristram KentonSir Simon Rattle conducts the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican’s hall – described by the maestro as ‘serviceable’.Photograph: Tristram KentonSir Simon Rattle conducts the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican’s hall – described by the maestro as ‘serviceable’.Mark Brown2015-03-03T17:51:01ZDennis Barker obituaryhttp://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/03/dennis-barker
Journalist and author whose work graced the Guardian’s pages for half a century<p>Latterday readers of this newspaper probably know the name Dennis Barker best from the many obituary pieces he wrote over the past two decades on these pages, recording the lives of an ecumenical galaxy, often from showbiz but sometimes from way beyond. He remembered <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/dec/30/guardianobituaries.artsobituaries" title="">Bob Monkhouse</a> and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/jun/27/guardianobituaries" title="">Sir Denis Thatcher</a> (“He was, surely, one of the most tested, impressive and amusing consorts of all time, Prince Albert not excluded”), <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/jun/01/danny-la-rue-obituary" title="">Danny La Rue</a> and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/nov/24/guardianobituaries.obituaries" title="">Mary Whitehouse</a> (“Her benevolently steely smile, baroque spectacles and ready quotes made her better known than most government ministers”).</p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2012/dec/09/sir-patrick-moore" title="">Patrick Moore</a> “had the air of a crusty, uncompromising bachelor and slightly dotty boffin who could have walked straight out of a Victorian or Edwardian novel”. As for <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-lionel-bart-1085282.html" title="">Lionel Bart</a>: “He was admired, and sponged on by many in his huge social circle. Champagne flowed. A bowl containing &pound;1,000 in notes rested on a mantelpiece in his Fulham palace, from which anyone in need could help themselves. Many obliged …”</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/03/dennis-barker">Continue reading...</a>MediaThe GuardianNewspapersTelevision & radioNewspapers & magazinesNational newspapersCultureTheatreRadioBooksTue, 03 Mar 2015 17:31:49 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/03/dennis-barkerPhotograph: public domainDennis Barker appeared as a regular in the early years of Robert Robinson’s Stop the Week programme on BBC Radio 4David McKie2015-03-03T17:31:49ZThe Full Body Project by Leonard Nimoy – in pictureshttp://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2015/mar/03/the-full-body-project-by-leonard-nimoy-in-pictures
<p>These photos of full-figured women were taken by the late Leonard Nimoy in 2007 to challenge entrenched concepts of beauty. They echo the work of artists from Botticelli to Matisse and Helmut Newton. The models are from a burlesque group in San Francisco, the Fat Bottom Revue. All photographs by Leonard Nimoy/courtesy of <a href="http://www.RMichelson.com">R Michelson Galleries</a></p><p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/commentisfree/2015/mar/03/leonard-nimoy-full-body-project">• Lindy West: Leonard Nimoy’s photos made me comfortable with my own body image</a></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2015/mar/03/the-full-body-project-by-leonard-nimoy-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a>PhotographyCultureTue, 03 Mar 2015 17:14:40 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2015/mar/03/the-full-body-project-by-leonard-nimoy-in-picturesPhotograph: Leonard Nimoy/Image courtesy of R.Michelson GalleriesPhotograph: Leonard Nimoy/Image courtesy of R.Michelson GalleriesGuardian Staff2015-03-03T17:14:40ZLeonard Nimoy’s photographs of fat, naked women changed my lifehttp://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/commentisfree/2015/mar/03/leonard-nimoy-full-body-project
<p>The late actor’s Full Body Project was bold and radical. It was the first time I’d seen women like me presented as objects of beauty instead of punchlines</p><p>I didn’t realise it until after he died – for whatever reason, I’d just never done the mental arithmetic – but Leonard Nimoy is responsible for the single most transformative moment of my life. In a very tangible way, Leonard Nimoy saved me.</p><p>Of course, I have all the standard emotional attachments to the man as an actor and cultural icon: I grew up on Star Trek reruns and the ensuing films (when you’re done here, please sign my Change.org petition to get my fiance to wear <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Trek-Voyage-Spock-Costume/dp/B00P7HW9NC">Spock’s Voyage Home wizard bathrobe</a> at our wedding); I used to watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGF5ROpjRAU">The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins</a> about 7,000 times every weekend, before I had to quit smoking pot because I convinced myself that I could “walk backwards through time”; and, in all seriousness, as a human being who believes in things – in love and humanity and the thrill of consciousness – it’s impossible not to be awestruck at the existence of such a principled, kind, talented, ravenously curious polymath.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2015/mar/03/the-full-body-project-by-leonard-nimoy-in-pictures">The Full Body Project by Leonard Nimoy – in pictures</a> </p><p>I asked them to be proud, which was a condition they took to easily, quite naturally. Having completed the compositions that were initially planned, I then asked them to play some music that they had brought with them, and they quickly responded to the rhythms, dancing in a free-form circular movement in the space ... In these pictures, these women are proudly wearing their own skin. They respect themselves and I hope that my images convey that to others<br /></p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/mar/03/zachary-quinto-leonard-nimoy-was-like-a-father-to-me">Zachary Quinto: Leonard Nimoy was like a father to me</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/commentisfree/2015/mar/03/leonard-nimoy-full-body-project">Continue reading...</a>Body imageArt and designPhotographyLeonard NimoyCultureSocietyHealth & wellbeingHealthLife and styleTue, 03 Mar 2015 17:14:25 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/commentisfree/2015/mar/03/leonard-nimoy-full-body-projectPhotograph: Leonard Nimoy/ Image courtesy of R.Michelson GalleriesThe Full Body Project by Leonard Nimoy. Photograph: Leonard Nimoy/ Image courtesy of R.Michelson GalleriesPhotograph: Leonard Nimoy/ Image courtesy of R.Michelson GalleriesThe Full Body Project by Leonard Nimoy. Photograph: Leonard Nimoy/ Image courtesy of R.Michelson GalleriesLindy West2015-03-03T17:14:25ZQuotation marks – where do these literary titles come from? Quizhttp://www.theguardian.com/books/quiz/2015/mar/03/quotation-literary-titles-quiz
You know the books, but do you know where the authors found their names? Find out with our fiendish questions about the books behind the books <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/quiz/2015/mar/03/quotation-literary-titles-quiz">Continue reading...</a>FictionPoetryCultureTue, 03 Mar 2015 17:04:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/books/quiz/2015/mar/03/quotation-literary-titles-quizAPSource-y questions … Ernest Hemingway at his typewriter. Photograph: APHenry Ellison2015-03-03T17:04:00ZAmanda Palmer is crowdfunding again, but this time on Patreonhttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/mar/03/amanda-palmer-crowdfunding-patreon-kickstarter-fans
<p>Musician famously raised $1.2m on Kickstarter for last album, but is now seeking ‘constant communication’ with her fans on another site</p><p>Musician Amanda Palmer made a splash on Kickstarter in 2012, <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/amandapalmer/amanda-palmer-the-new-record-art-book-and-tour">raising $1.2m from fans</a> on the crowdfunding website for an album, book and tour. Now she’s turning to the crowd again on a different site: Patreon.</p><p><a href="https://www.patreon.com/amandapalmer">Palmer is inviting fans</a> to pledge to pay from as little as $1 to more than $100 every time she posts a new song, video or piece of writing to her “patron-only” feed on the website.</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/nov/14/amanda-palmer-guardian-webchat-asking">The art of asking Amanda Palmer: 'The system is going to start favoring the direct voice of the people'</a> </p><p>“I think Patreon is a revolution in music-release and art patronage: i’m planning to release pretty much ALL MY CONTENT for free: on youtube, bandcamp, my site, wherever.</p><p>it’s yours, it’s everybody’s, you can take it, you can share it.<br />but i need support, true patronage, from you you YOU if i’m going to take the plunge and have money to live and make art.”</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/dec/13/amanda-palmer-art-business-difficult-honest-decisions">Art is a business – and, yes, artists have to make difficult, honest business decisions | Amanda Palmer</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/mar/03/amanda-palmer-crowdfunding-patreon-kickstarter-fans">Continue reading...</a>CrowdfundingAmanda PalmerTechnologyMusicMediaInternetCultureKickstarterTue, 03 Mar 2015 17:00:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/mar/03/amanda-palmer-crowdfunding-patreon-kickstarter-fansPhotograph: PRAmanda Palmer’s fans can pay as little as $1 or as much as $100 (or more) to become patrons. PRPhotograph: PRAmanda Palmer’s fans can pay as little as $1 or as much as $100 (or more) to become patrons. PRStuart Dredge2015-03-03T17:00:03ZCatherine Fried obituaryhttp://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/mar/03/catherine-fried-obituary
<p>My mother-in-law, Catherine Fried, who has died aged 78, was an artist, photographer and sculptor who turned to writing , and whose first book was published when she was 72.</p><p>The title of her memoir of her marriage to the Austrian poet Erich Fried, &Uuml;ber Kurz Oder Lang, means ‘“sooner or later”, and plays on the German words for short and long, referring to the couple’s disparity in height. Catherine was the long one. The book was warmly reviewed, ran to three editions and launched Catherine on a new career path, taking on speaking engagements in Germany and Austria.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/mar/03/catherine-fried-obituary">Continue reading...</a>ArtPhotographySculptureArt and designBooksCultureTue, 03 Mar 2015 16:58:48 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/mar/03/catherine-fried-obituaryPhotograph: The GuardianCatherine Fried went in 1960 to Paris, where she lived in the famous Beat Hotel on the Rive Gauche.Photograph: The GuardianCatherine Fried went in 1960 to Paris, where she lived in the famous Beat Hotel on the Rive Gauche.Jonathan Romney2015-03-03T16:58:48ZSaturday Night Live to be adapted for Chinese televisionhttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/mar/03/saturday-night-live-adapted-chinese-television
<p>China follows in Brazil and Japan’s footsteps with plan to adapt classic sketch comedy show after internet company Sohu reaches deal </p><p>China is set to screen its own version of the American TV sketch show Saturday Night Live after an internet company in the country said it had reached a deal to adapt the show.</p><p>Sohu, which has streamed the New York version of the show since 2013, is in the process of recruiting comedians for the show, which is being tailored for Chinese audiences but “will have international appeal”, Sohu said in a statement. </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/mar/03/saturday-night-live-adapted-chinese-television">Continue reading...</a>US televisionChinaComedyComedyCultureTelevisionAsia PacificTelevision & radioTue, 03 Mar 2015 16:54:51 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/mar/03/saturday-night-live-adapted-chinese-televisionPhotograph: Mary Ellen Matthews/APWill Ferrell portrays Craig Buchanan, left, and Cheri Oteri portrays his cheering partner Arianna in a classic Saturday Night Live sketch.Amanda Holpuch in New York2015-03-03T16:54:51ZNetflix buys Oscar-tipped Idris Elba drama Beasts of No Nation for $12mhttp://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/mar/03/netflix-idris-elba-beasts-of-no-nation-film
<p>True Detective director Cary Fukunaga’s latest film gives streaming platform their biggest title yet</p><p>In a bold and expensive move, Netflix has bought the worldwide rights for the hotly anticipated new film Beasts of No Nation for $12m in a busy bidding war.</p><p>The film, based on the bestselling novel by Uzodinma Iweala, stars Idris Elba and comes from Cary Fukunaga, acclaimed director of Jane Eyre and the HBO series True Detective, which won him an Emmy last year. The film has been tipped for Oscars glory in 2016 and the streaming platform is rumoured to be positioning it as a major awards contender.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/mar/03/netflix-idris-elba-beasts-of-no-nation-film">Continue reading...</a>FilmNetflixIdris ElbaCultureTechnologyAfricaWar filmsUS newsWorld newsTrue DetectiveTelevision & radioMediaTue, 03 Mar 2015 16:34:27 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/mar/03/netflix-idris-elba-beasts-of-no-nation-filmPhotograph: PRIdris Elba in Beasts of No NationPhotograph: PRIdris Elba in Beasts of No NationBenjamin Lee2015-03-03T16:34:27ZWakey-wakey: American Ballet Theatre’s new Sleeping Beautyhttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/dance-blog/2015/mar/03/alexei-ratmansky-sleeping-beauty-american-ballet-theatre
<p>Alexei Ratmansky is aiming to make his new production of the classic ballet as close to Marius Petipa’s 1890 original as he can – and the dancers are rising to the physical challenge</p><p>It’s midday in New York, and the traffic on Broadway is pitched to a honking, blaring, strident roar. But inside the rehearsal studios of <a href="http://www.abt.org/default.aspx">American Ballet Theatre</a>, fairies dance and courtiers amuse themselves in a gentle game of blind-man’s buff, as choreographer <a href="http://www.abt.org/education/archive/choreographers/ratmansky_a.html">Alexei Ratmansky</a> directs his dancers through the second act of Marius Petipa’s Sleeping Beauty.</p><p>In many ways, this is business as usual for ABT, who have been dancing the popular 19th-century classic for decades. But it is a new production that they are working on, and what’s drawing the attention of the ballet world is not only the fact that its being staged by Ratmansky (one of today’s most interesting classical choreographers ) but that Ratmansky believes he’s got closer to aspects of the original 1890 choreography than any other contemporary production – reconstructing details and style which over the decades have been smoothed over, modernised, made more generically “ballet”.</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/dance-blog/2015/mar/03/alexei-ratmansky-sleeping-beauty-american-ballet-theatre">Continue reading...</a>American Ballet TheatreBalletDanceCultureStageUS newsWorld newsTue, 03 Mar 2015 16:25:44 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/dance-blog/2015/mar/03/alexei-ratmansky-sleeping-beauty-american-ballet-theatrePhotograph: American Ballet TheatreRichard Hudson’s costume designs for ABT’s Sleeping Beauty – based on work by Léon Bakst for Ballets Russes in 1921.Photograph: American Ballet TheatreRichard Hudson’s costume designs for ABT’s Sleeping Beauty – based on work by Léon Bakst for Ballets Russes in 1921.Photograph: /PRThe Sleeping Beauty - American Ballet TheatrePhotograph: /PRThe Sleeping Beauty - American Ballet TheatreJudith Mackrell2015-03-03T16:25:44ZThe blockbuster's in decline – here's how to save ithttp://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/mar/03/marvel-us-box-office-decline-blockbusters
<p>More than 25 superhero movies in the next four years could spell troubled times for the US box office. How can the studios avoid fatiguing film-goers?</p><p>With every new Marvel announcement (the latest of which is due on 5 March), a combination of excitement and resignation hits. While the Disney-owned studio has a habit of producing superhero films that fly a little higher than the rest, there are only so many costumed crimefighters we can bear to see on the big screen.</p><p>Do we really need 11 Marvel films in the next four years, which, added to the other superhero offerings on the horizon, makes more than 25 in total? </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2015/feb/27/birdman-wrong-about-movie-superheroes">Birdman got it wrong: serious actors love playing superheroes</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/19/the-hunger-games-mockingjays-bombed-out-dystopia-is-all-too-familiar-it-could-be-syria-gaza-or-iraq">The Hunger Games: Mockingjay's bombed-out dystopia is all too familiar | Suzanne Moore</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jan/06/week-in-geek-2015-most-exciting-sci-fi-fantasy-films-jurassic-world-star-wars">Our pick of 2015's most exciting sci-fi and fantasy films</a> </p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/shortcuts/2015/feb/10/can-marvel-save-spider-man-from-web-of-sequels-captain-america-3">Can Marvel save Spider-Man from his tangled web of sequels?</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/mar/03/marvel-us-box-office-decline-blockbusters">Continue reading...</a>FilmAction and adventureGuardians of the GalaxyAvengers: Age of UltronFilm industryCultureChris PrattThe Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1The Hunger GamesJennifer LawrenceSpider-ManThe Amazing Spider-Man 2MarvelStar Wars: The Force AwakensTue, 03 Mar 2015 16:00:42 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/mar/03/marvel-us-box-office-decline-blockbustersPhotograph: APComing to the rescue ... what can Marvel learn from its Guardians of the Galaxy success?Photograph: APComing to the rescue ... what can Marvel learn from its Guardians of the Galaxy success?Benjamin Lee2015-03-03T16:00:42ZRob Auton: the Brian Cox of comedyhttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/mar/03/rob-auton-the-brian-cox-of-comedy
An award-winning joke about a chocolate bar gave the impression that Rob Auton was a ruthless gag-merchant. But his meandering, poetic shows, riffing on his amazement at the world, encompass a whole lot more than that<p>It’s when Rob Auton starts eulogising about mallards that the penny drops: he is comedy’s Brian Cox. Not because he has salt-and-pepper hair and bangs on about particle physics, but because of his sense of amazement and awe. The duck in question floats past on the nearby canal when Auton is making a point about the miracle of existence – and to him, it proves the perfect example. He has a habit of this doing sort of thing – so far in his short comedy career, he has devoted entire shows to the following pet subjects: yellow; the sky; and faces.</p><p>Auton’s shows feel more like presentations than anything to do with showbiz, and in them he does nothing more than speak dutifully – loyally, even – about his chosen topic, coming at it from every angle he can in an hour. They’re poetical, philosophical, humane, completely charming and funny to boot, and he has consequently become an underground hit in Edinburgh (quite literally – he performs in the same sweaty dungeon every fringe, and 2015 will be no exception).</p><p> <span>Related: </span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/aug/20/fringe-funniest-jokes-wispa-wisecrack-wins">Fringe's funniest jokes revealed – and Wispa wisecrack wins</a> </p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/mar/03/rob-auton-the-brian-cox-of-comedy">Continue reading...</a>ComedyEdinburgh festivalStageCultureTue, 03 Mar 2015 16:00:02 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/stage/2015/mar/03/rob-auton-the-brian-cox-of-comedyPhotograph: Julian WardA stopper and a thinker … Rob Auton.Photograph: Julian WardA stopper and a thinker … Rob Auton.Paul Fleckney2015-03-03T16:00:02Z